So the other thread got me thinking about doe hunting and how I see plenty of people doing it at the end of the season, but the place I hunt, they only kill does before the rut. Once it starts, they don't kill any more does because you are potentially killing the doe that is pregnant from the big guy.

Really interested in the others opinions as I have my own place to hunt now and need to start doing some doe management to get numbers right.

Not sure how it is in STX but in our county (Hardin) doe season ends once October starts and the rut is over unless you're on a MLD permit and at that point the biologist has OKed it so the population numbers justify it.

We stop doe killing around Dec 10th. Rut is soon after. My property is between Freer and Encinal.

Kill all your does before they get pregnant. That way the bucks can focus on the ones that are going to live.

I'm in Coleman and our rut was around Thanksgiving. Had a neighbor killing does on new years eve. It seemed foolish to me at that point, especially if you aren't doing it for meat and only for population control.

Statistically speaking, I don't think it matters if you kill a doe before or after she's pregnant. Most of your does are going to get pregnant every year. No matter when you kill a doe, you are reducing next year's population by her plus potential fawns.

As Htown pointed out, you can ease the "work" your bucks need to do by eliminating does early. But I'm not sure that is really a big deal.

Ideally you do it before the rut but FWIW, we have always killed the majority of ours in January (south zone), well after the rut. Our top end deer are consistently exceptional for our county.

In short, there are so many variables that go into growing large mature deer, I don't think this is one of the larger ones, personally.

Does can be pregnant before the rut so if you need to take them, take them. I have 6 to take before the end of the month in the south zone. I do it for population control and for the meat. If you always think youre going to potentially kill the future big one, youll never shoot a doe. If your population is 1 to 1 you are is great shape and can be more than careful but if you are like me trying to get there, you should be taking them. As always, it just depends on your personal situation. Happy hunting!

On our property in McCulloch County and the adjacent larger properties, the doe/deer population is way out of whack. This past weekend, I counted 77 deer in an adjacent 100 acre wheat field to the East with 80% easily does. This was only a portion of the deer in a 1k acre area as there were multiple sets of deer (5-15) in other neighboring locations (same time) view trail came photos and my own visuals. Point being - in our area of the county, neighboring properties have done a terrible job of doe control. Add in the drought this year and it's a mess. Yes, the deer do look healthy - which is great. But the land can't keep this up. Thus, we put in some work this weekend along with some adjacent landowners to work on population.

In addition, I saw multiple does with 2020 fawns in tow...makes me wonder if those are being bred as I would assume bucks would have separated them during the rut if they were bred? Maybe not - anyone with input on this?

FC12 said:

---

In addition, I saw multiple does with 2020 fawns in tow...makes me wonder if those are being bred as I would assume bucks would have separated them during the rut if they were bred? Maybe not - anyone with input on this?

---

I saw a bunch of this on my place in southern Duval county. I have a huge farming neighbor behind me along 2 sides and little to no hunting pressure on the other sides. Given the population where Im at is not right, Im thinking the bucks just keep going and going and going well into the spring. Not exactly like the rut so to speak but just keep going. Since I just purchased this place in July, I just haven't had the time to evaluate properly. I took a nice 8pt early which in hindsight was a mistake given the population and a spike a few weeks ago. My buddy has taken another wonky spike and a doe. No more bucks will be taken since I now know whats going on. I have 206 acres and have only the 2 of us hunting it. Six does will go down between now and the end of the month. Its not much but I have to start somewhere. Next year Ill be out front of this and put on the hit parade. Good luck with your place. Im seeing the same where Im at.

I can see why folks focus on doe later on so as to maximize their chances of a buck who might disappear when hunting pressure becomes evident.

But the whole concept of shooting a doe early so that you don't shoot the same doe later on when she's pregnant just seems like zero sum stupidity. It's not like bucks are going to say "nah, that's enough" and stop impregnating hot does because you didn't take your couple early on.

.

Ag_07 said:

---

Not sure how it is in STX but in our county (Hardin) doe season ends once October starts and the rut is over unless you're on a MLD permit and at that point the biologist has OKed it so the population numbers justify it.

---

Hardin county has a late muzzleloader season that pretty much equates to a January doe season. That's pretty common in East Texas, and I have a muzzleloader just for that purpose.

I agree with many posts here. I have no qualms about hunting a doe late - it doesn't matter if you shoot a doe before she's pregnant or after - all the eligible doe are likely going to get pregnant at some point, so it's not like you've changed something by shooting her in January.

I do hunt my buck early - I like to hunt them in the rut, then I get a doe when the pressure is off.